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Monday, August 10, 2009

...even the screamers can get their point across.

It is interesting to see what happens when those opposed to health care insurance reform stop yelling, state their case, and let everyone have a shot at the microphone. They don't necessarily change minds, but everyone listens.

7
comments:

Sounds like a good meeting, but a few things from the article and the comments really stand out:

1. As a self-identified Obama supporter, he doesn't have a very high opinion or respect for the opposition.

2. The comments seem to show that many people still think that the opposition to Obamacare is from stupid, weak-minded people that are being duped by the health care industry, talk radio, and the Illuminati.

I think it is fair to say that the health care lobby is trying to exert it's influence and Palin and a few others are making stupid assertions, but I think it is unfair to characterize all opposition, by a few bad apples. This certainly isn't anything new. The right did a bang-up job painting the anti-war movement as a bunch of anti-American, hippy losers that were taking their marching orders from George Soros and Moveon. Like now, some of those elements are true, but it just doesn't show the whole picture.

I hope more meeting like this take place, but it will be difficult if there is continued effort to ridicule and marginalize all opposition (teabagger, anyone). As for the people, like Palin, that deserve ridicule, give it to them, but talk to the others, too. The media wants to focus on the fringers. I doubt that Perriello’s meeting will get coverage on the news.

"The comments seem to show that many people still think that the opposition to Obamacare is from stupid, weak-minded people that are being duped by the health care industry, talk radio, and the Illuminati."

I thought the guy in the video was pretty respectful. It is probably partially why the yelling was minimal. The fact is these people are incorrect in their assertions. Wildly so. Calling some of their assertions stupid is not exactly an exaggeration.

Still, even though some of the opposition are stating wildly whacky things, the Congressman handled it well. He earned his pay. I think others would handle it this way too if given the chance. You don’t often see legislators disrespectful to voters, even when they say outlandish things.

Bob, I am not saying that all of their assertions are right. Some of what they are saying is stupid. To characterize the entire movement on the lines of some lobbyist backed conspiracy is just incorrect, nor is it fair to do what Nancy Pelosi said when she asserted that it was un-American to disrupt the town hall meetings.

"...nor is it fair to do what Nancy Pelosi said when she asserted that it was un-American to disrupt the town hall meetings."

I actually agree with Pelosi. (I just barfed a little.)

It IS un-Amercian to block others from excercising their own right to speak. It is not un-American to say things that are uninformed, or even shout about it. We do that all the time.

I would fight fo the rights of a persont to say all the stupid things they are saying, as long as it does not infringe on others stating their case. Many of these events HAVE infringed on others rights.

he comments seem to show that many people still think that the opposition to Obamacare is from stupid, weak-minded people that are being duped by the health care industry, talk radio, and the Illuminati

It's gonna be a long time before Obamacare supporters stop thinking the opposition is insane. Aside from this video and probably some others we haven't seen yet, most of them still yell and scream and don't actually ask a question...they accuse and make statements to which there is no reply. So forgive us if we seem dismissive of the opposition, but they have made that well-publicized bed.

As a self-identified Obama supporter, he doesn't have a very high opinion or respect for the opposition

You must have caught something in his tone that the rest of us didn't because all I heard was a guy asking questions. He didn't get what he expected; he got real questions and honest disagreement, and his pleasant surprise is why he published the vid and the story.

But as Bob said, some of their questions showed that they are still getting the bulk of the information on the contents of the legislation from the MSM or Glenn Fucking Beck.